2001 03 07 ALRC Minutes
MINUTES
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
A regular meeting held at the La Guinta City Hall
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Guinta, CA
March 7, 2001
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. This meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping Committee was called
to order at 10:06 a.m. by Planning Manager Christine di Iorio who led the
flag salute.
B. Committee Members present: Dennis Cunningham, Bill Bobbitt, and Frank
Reynolds.
C. Staff present: Planning Manager Christine di lorio, Principal Planner Stan
Sawa, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR:
A. Planning Manager Christine di Iorio asked if there were any changes to
the Minutes of February 7, 2001. Committee Member Reynolds asked
that Page 4, Item #8 be corrected to read, " ...what the depth of the
windows would be." There being no further corrections, it was moved
and seconded by Committee Members Reynolds/Bobbitt to approve the
minutes as corrected.
V. BUSINESS ITEMS:
A. Site Development Permit 2001-686; a request of Omri Siklai, for review
of development plans for a commercial buildings consisting of a
restaurant and office, located at the northeast corner of Washington
Street and Lake La Guinta Drive.
1. Principal Planner Stan Saw a presented the information contained
in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community
Development Department.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
March 7, 2001
2. Mr. Omri Siklai stated they had no objections to staff's
recommendations. Mr. Lew Bishop, architect for the project, made
a presentation.
3. Committee Member Bobbitt stated that being contemporary in
style it almost has a Frank Geary look and most buildings currently
in the City are Spanish or Spanish Revival, how does this fit in
with the surrounding architecture? Staff stated the City does not
have any design guidelines requiring a Spanish design. Recently
the La Ouinta Court was approved with a different architectural
style. Each specific plan defines its own look. The Church and
the La Ouinta Inn each stand on their own. Committee Member
Bobbitt stated there are not a lot of structures in this area
currently and it is hard to determine what it will look like with the
different styles.
4. Committee Member Cunningham stated he has been a proponent
of the Spanish architecture as exemplified by the La Ouinta Hotel,
and the Von's Plaza. That would have been a good guideline for
the City, but the City did not adopt those guidelines and now we
have some buildings that are not attractive. There are some new
projects however, that are bringing in some new designs such as
the La Ouinta Court and Point Happy. The City Hall itself created
a lot of controversy. This design is dynamic and does tie into the
City Hall design and the La Ouinta Court and will be a signature
building.
5. Committee Member Reynolds asked what would be built on the
adjoining property to tie in with this.
6. Committee Member Cunningham stated that as this is the first
building in this area, it will set the precedent for the next project.
7. Committee Member Reynolds stated the only access to the project
is from Caleo Bay and with the low lighting on the parking lot it
could be a concern for mischief and the applicant might want to
consider more light. Mr. Bishop stated they want the low level
lighting. The taller lights will be in the same place as the tree tops
so they lowered the lights down to be below the trees which
creates an ambient feeling. Committee Member Reynolds stated
it will be difficult for law enforcement to see into the parking lot
with the low level lighting and landscaping. The applicant stated
this is in conflict with the City's standards which requiring the lush
landscaping and no access off Washington Street.
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Architectural & Landscape Review Committee Minutes
March 7, 2001
8. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the idea was to bring the
vehicles in an understated way with the building attracting
attention. Mr. Bishop stated yes.
9. Committee Member Bobbitt stated he likes the way the project is
set out and the landscaping is great. The building is a good
looking building and his concern was only that it would not fit in
and after the discussion, he is satisfied with the design. Mr.
Bishop stated that a community that bridges more than one style
is the essence of America. Their concept was to have a collective
mix with the proposed Arts Foundation, Church and other
surrounding businesses.
10. Committee Member Cunningham asked if the metal would be left
in its natural state to weather. The applicant stated yes.
Committee Member Cunningham stated that with the way it is
done with the marble and landscaping, it is a fresh design. If used
correctly it is a beautiful statement, but it may need to be
defended as some people do not like it.
11 . Committee Member Bobbitt stated he would like to see some low
level planting to soften the look on the north and east elevations.
12. There being no further discussion, it was moved and seconded by
Committee Member Cunningham/Reynolds adopt Minute Motion
2001-011 recommending approval of Site Development Permit
2001-686, subject to the conditions. Unanimously approved.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: None
VII. COMMITTEE MEMBER ITEMS: None
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Committee Members
Reynolds/Bobbitt to adjourn this regular meeting of the Architectural and Landscaping
Review Committee to a special meeting to be held on March 21, 2001. This meeting
was adjourned at 10:42 a.m. on March 7, 2001.
4Rese.e,ctfullY SUb~)tted,
.// d~ki Xatd~t<----
, / )'/J':?AWYER, Executive Secretary
City ona Quinta, California
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